Conversation timing controlled in linefinders and repeaters



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INVENTOR. CLARENCE E. LOMAX 2%@ .mouw vmm. i3@ harm ...y mi

sept. 15, 1953 CONVERSATION TIMING CONTROLLED IN LINEFINDERS AND REPEATERS 4Filed Jan. 11, 1950 n l mw wm: www J @a lllo @21A ATTORNEY Sept. 15, 1953 c. E. LoMAx 2,652,455

coNvERsATIoN TIMING coNTRoLLEn IN LINEFINbERs AND REPEATERS Filed Jan. l, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .J f c; f5 F i/T se, 8m

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CLARENCE E. LOMAX ATTORNEY C. E. LOMAX Sept. l5, 1953 CONVERSAT'ION TIMING CONTROLLED IN LINEF'INDERS AND REPEATERS Filed Jan. ll, 1950 3 Sheets-Shed 3 5.2- fwbm moa" 6mm OOm mo u .vom

INVENTOR. CLARENCE E. LMAX 1% Z a ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 15, 1953 CONVERSATION TIMING CONTROLLED EN LINEFINDERS AND REPEATERS Clarence E. Lomax, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Automatic Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application January 11, 1950, Serial No. 138,009

This invention relates in general to telephone systems and more particularly to telephone systems which utilize conversation timing of established telephone connections, the connection being automatically disconnected a certain interval of time after it Was first established.

The number of switches required in an automatic telephone exchange to give proper service is determined by the number of calls made during the busy hour or hours and the length of time the connection is held during this period. The generally accepted formula is that one eighth of the total twenty-four hour daily load is carried during the one busiest hour oi the day. If the length of time of the calls during the busy periods could be shortened, a greater number of calls could be completed over the same number of switches and also certain subscribers would be induced to make their calls during non-busy hours so as to have unlimited conversation time, the combined result being a substantial reduction in the number of switches required to give proper service when no periodic conversation timing is employed. It should be realized that it would not be advisable to subject certain calls, such as calls from business establishments, to conversation timing at any time of the day and the same applies to toll calls made from any subscriber including those subscribers normally affected by conversation timing.

it might also be considered an advantage to subject inter-oliice connections established from certain lines to conversation timing while intraofce connections established from the same lines would not have conversation timing.

It Would also be advantageous to provide that the conversation timing equipment be underv the control of an operator under various circumstances or that it be responsive to actual traffic conditions of the system occurring during the day. It is with these foregoing facts in mind that this invention was conceived.

VOne object of this invention is to provide conversation timing With automatic disconnect, controlled in linenders or in inter-office repeaters, of telephone connections established by certain of the subscribers having access to the lineiinder or repeater, the timing equipment to be operative only during normally busy periods of the day and arranged so that it will continue to opcratev once it has started even though the normally busy period of the day should end before the connection is automatically interrupted. l

Another object of this invention is'to provide conversation timing With automatic disconnect,

17 Claims. (Cl. 179-48) controlled in linefinders or in inter-cnice repeaters, of telephone connections established by certain of the subscribers having access to the lineiinder or repeater, the timing equipment to be controlled by the traflic conditions of the system so as to be operative during all actually busy periods oi the day or under the control of an operator so as to be operative at the discretion of the operator.

Another object of this invention is to provide conversation timing equipment which is operative only during normally busy periods of the day and then only when an operator desires to render` it operative.

Another object oi this invention is to provide conversation timing equipment for use in disconnecting established telephone connections which is operative during the normally busy or peak load periods of the day in all instances and may be rendered operative by an operator at any other time of the day the operator may choose.

Still another object of this invention is to provide conversation timing equipment which will operate to time a call during normally busy or peak load periods of the day but cease operating shortly before the connection would normally be interrupted if the conditions of the system indicate light trafiic, the timing equipment re-operating to mark the short time remaining and quickly interrupt the connection if the trahie should suddenly become heavy or ii an operator should desire the connection interrupted for any reason.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a telephone system wherein inter-emes connections established by Way of a lineflnder-repeater system from certain lines accessible from the lineiinder willl be subject to conversation timing While connections established from the other lines accessible from the lineiinder will not have conversation timing, the conversation timing equipment being located in the repeater circuit so that all intra-ofiice connections established through the iinder from any of the lines accessible therefrom Will not have conversation timing.

One feature of this invention is the provision, in a lineiinder or repeater circuit, of a stepping switch or first timer which is operated in response to impulses received from an impulse sender device to cause automatic interruption of an established connection through the linender or repeater after a certain number oi impulses have been received by the first timer, the first or initiating impulse being sent to the rst timer in response to the operation oi a second timer,

which is operated automatically during normally peak load periods of the day, the rst timer device causing the remainder of the impulses to be transmitted to it independent of the second timer device to thereby cause the first timer to remain operated after the second timer device has released.

Another feature of this invention is the provision, in a system as described in the above feature, of a second timer device which is operated automatically only during normally peak load periods of the day, the first timer thereby remaining operated even after the normally peak load period of the day is passed.

Another feature of this invention is the provision, in a system as described in the first-mentioned feature, of a second timer device which operates during all actual heavy load periods of the day or which can be controlled by an operator so as to be operated when she desires.

Another feature of this invention is the provision, in a system as described in the rst-mentioned feature, of a second timer device which will operate only during normal peak load periods of the day and then only when an operator has conditioned it toV operate at such time.

Another feature of this invention is the provision, in a system such as described in the firstmentioned feature, of a second timer device which will automatically operate during certain xed normally peak load period in all instances and may also be controlled by an operator to operate during any other period the operator may select.

Another feature of this invention is the provision, in a system such as described in the firstmentioned feature, of a second timer device which will operate during a normally peak load period to cause the initial impulse to be sent to the first timer switch and a circuit means which will operate shortly before the last of the impulses are transmitted to stop the transmitting of impulses to the rst timer in case there is a light tramo load, thereby holding the conversation timing equipment in abeyance until heavy traiiic conditions or an act of an operator causes the second timer to operate to disable the circuit means and thereby cause the last few impulses to be transmitted to the first timer switch to cause it to quickly time out and interrupt the connection.

Still another feature of this invention is the provision of a repeater circuit having associated therewith conversation timing equipment designed to interrupt a connection established therethrough, the connection including a nder circuit which will signal the repeater torender the conversation timing equipment operative on connections established from certain of the lines accessible from the finder but Will not signal the repeater thereby leaving the timing equipment in a disabled state on connections established from other lines accessible from the nder.

The invention will appear more clearly, and further objects will become apparent, from the following detailed description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea.

Figs. l, 2, 2A to 2F inclusive, and 3 depict a telephone system which best illustrates the present invention, a system similar in some respects to the telephone system shown in the co-pending application of C; EL Lomax, Serial'No. 136,922, filed January 5, 195i), entitled Conversation Timing in Automatic Telephone Systems, this present disclosure showing a number of control cirA cuits associated with the conversation timer for enabling and disabling it at various times and under various conditions.

More specifically, Fig. 1 illustrates a linefinder circuit |00 and associated distributor |03 and selector |04, all of the Well known Strowger type, for enabling a subscriber such as at substation A to complete intra-cnice or inter-oice connections.

Fig. 3 illustrates a linefinder circuit and associated selector and distributor and a repeater circuit, all of the well known Strowger type, for enablingl a subscriber to complete inter-oiice connections.

Fig. 2 illustrates a rst timer switch or stepping switch 200 and associated stepping magnet 205 and impulse transmitting cam 220 used to time the connections established through the circuits of Fig'. l or 3, the first timer switch 200 being controlled in various ways by one of the plurality of second timer devices shown in Figs. 2B. to 2F, inclusive. Switch train 225 and key 228 are means for giving an operator, whether local or distant, control of certain of the second timer devices. Relay 235 is a means of controlling the timing devices responsive to the actual present traffic conditions of the. exchange.

Referring now to Figs. l and 2, when the subscriber at the calling substation A initiates a call over the line |01, the line circuit |02 operates to connect battery potential to the control conductor |39 to mark the rotary position of line |0| in the bank of the finder switch |00, and grounds control conductor |09 to thereby cause ground potential to be applied to the start conductor |18 extending to the distributor |03, and to also cause the ground potential to mark in the vertical bank of the finder switch, the level wherein line i0| is terminated, the vertical contact being indicated at |36.

The ground closed to the control conductor |09 and thus to the start conductor |18 initiates operation of the distributor |03, thereby to cause this preselected idle finder |00 to be assigned to the use of the calling subscriber line |0|. The distributor |03, as well as distributor 303 of Fig. 3, is similar to and operates in the same manner as that shown in the Patent 2,214,908 of Lomax and Baker, September 17, 1940 and reference may be had to this patent for a more detailed understanding. A line circuit similar to 30| and 306 is also shown in the above patent. More particularly, distributor |03Y operates to place ground potential on finder start conductor |13 and ground potential on vertical conductor |15'. Ground potential on conductor |13 causes start relay ||0 to operate. Relay ||0 on operating closes a path between line conductors |65 and |66 by Way of contacts and resistance |28 to seize the selector circuit |04, closes the circuit from the rotary magnet |25 to the distributor |03 byway of contacts |41 and H6 and rotary conductor |14, and closes the circuit from vertical conductor |15 to the nder vertical magnet |20 through contacts ||1. Operation of relay ||0 also closes ground at contacts |.|3 torenergize the lower or polar winding of the well known electro-polar relay |30, this electro-polar relay being designed so that it will not operate on its lower or polar winding alone and so remaining unoperated at this time. On seizing selector |04, ground potential is found standing on linezconductorl |65 andV battery potential: on lineconducftor |66 in the selector, thus completing an energizing circuit to the upper or operating winding of electro-polar relay |30 in parallel with resistance |29. The operating or upper winding of relay |30 when connected to battery potential in such a manner produces a magnetic polarity which opposes that produced by the polar or lower winding and relay |30 will remain unoperated. On operating after seizure, the selector |04 connects ground to control conducttr |69 for the purpose of holding the finder |00 under control of the selector |04 when subsequent release of relay ||0 removes the ground from conductor |69 at contacts ||3, as will hereinafter be explained.

The ground potential on the vertical conductor causes the vertical magnet |20 to operate to step the Strowger switch mechanism one step in the vertical direction and to connect, at contacts |2|, ground to interrupter conductor |16. The -ground connected to interrupter conductor |16 causes the distributor |03 to operate to remove the ground from vertical conductor |15 to cause the vertical magnet to restore, removing the ground at contacts 2| from conductor |16. The removal of ground from conductor |16 causes the distributor |03 to operate to reconnect ground to vertical conductor |15 to again cause the vertical magnet |20 to operate to step the Strowger switch mechanism an additional i step in the vertical direction and to reconnect ground to conductor |16 by way of contacts |2|. The above cycle of operations is continued, the vertical magnet |20 and the distributor |03 interacting, to step the switch mechanism in a vertical direction until the vertical wiper |00 engages the contact in the vertical bank associated therewith having marking ground potential thereon. In the present instance, the vertical wiper |00 engages contact |30 having the marking ground potential thereon. This ground on conductor |09 from the line circuit |02 i5 closed through bank contact |36 and wiper |08 to the distributor |03 by way of contacts ||0 and test conductor |11. This ground on test conductor |11 causes the distributor |03 to operate to remove the ground from vertical conductor |15 so that the vertical magnet |20 will restore and also to connect ground on rotary conductor |14.

It is noted that when the switch mechanism of the finder |00 is operated away from its normal position by the rst operation of the vertical magnet |20, the vertical off-normal switch springs |58, are actuated. On closing, the V. O, N. springs |58 cause operation of relay |50. Relay |50 on operating closes a point in the incomplete circuit to the release magnet |23 at lcontacts |52, opens a point at contacts |5| in the all trunks busy conductor |61, which was grounded in the selector |04, to give an all trunks bu-sy signal if this was the last idle nder in the group associated with distributor |03, and closes a part of the circuit from ground to the guard conductor |1| at contacts |53.

The ground on rotary conductor |14 from the distributor 03 is closed to the rotary magnet |25 by way of contacts ||6 and |41. When energized over the above traced circuit, the rotary magnet |25 operates to step the Strowger switch mechanism of the finder switch |00 one step in the rotary direction and to connect, at contacts |26, ground to interrupter conductor |16. This ground on conductor |16 causes the distributor rotary conductor |14 to thereby cause the rotary magnet |25 to restore. Upon restoring, the rotary magnet |25 removes ground, at contacts |20, from nterrupter conductor |16 to cause the distributor |03 to operate to reconnect ground to rotary conductor |14 and thus reenergize the winding of the rotary magnet |25. The rotary magnet |25 operates to cause the switch mechanism to take an additional step in the rotary direction and to reconnect ground to interrupter conductor |16. The rotary magnet |25 and distributor |03 continue to interact in the manner described above until the switch mechanism is rotated to the position of the contact set terminating the calling subscriber line |0|, at which time the wiper |01 of the wiper set engages the contact terminating the control conductor |39 of line |0I, whereupon a circuit is completed from battery through the well known B. C. O. relay (not shown) in the line circuit |02 to the distributor |03 by way of contro] conductor |39, wiper |01, contacts H8, and rlrst test conductor |11. The distributor |03 operates to open the circuit to the rotary magnet |25 over rotary conductor |14 and closes ground to the conductor |12. Ground on the conductor |12 closes the circuit to switching relay |40 by way of contacts H5. Relay |40 operates, opens a further point in the circuit to the rotary magnet |25 at contacts |41, and closes a holding circuit to itself from ground by way of contacts |45 and ||3. Upon operating, switching relay |40 also closes line conductors |05 and |06 to the selector circuit |04 at contacts |4| and |42, respectively, line conductor |05 being closed through the upper winding of electro-polar relay |30 in parallel with resistance |20. Also, control conductor |39 is closed to ground at contacts ||3 through contacts |43, thus causing oper-ation of the B. C. O. relay (not shown) in the line circuit |02 in a well known manner. Also, upon operating, relay |40 opens a part of the incomplete circuit to the release magnet |23 at contacts |44 and closes ground to the distributor |03 over guard conductor |1| through contacts |53 and |46. This ground closed to the guard conductor |1| causes the release of the distributor |03 which then operates to locate the next idle finder circuit available to the distributor in accordance with the preselecting feature of this line finder system and also marks this finder busy to the distributor |03 during subsequent selecting operations of the distributor |03 while searching for idle finders in the same group of finders.

Upon the release of the distributor 03, ground is removed from start conductor |13 in the distributor |03 and relay ||0 restores, interrupting the first-mentioned path between line conductors |65 and |66 at contacts closing an alternate path at contacts |4 for applying the busy marking ground potential to guard conductor |1| from ground at contacts |53, and interrupting points in the circuits to the vertical magnet |20 and rotary magnet |25 at contacts ||1 and ||6, respectively. Relay I0 on restoring also removes ground at contacts 3 from the conductor |69 and at this time relay |40 is held operated and the lower winding of relay |30 held energized by ground on the conductor |69 from the selector circuit |04, the selector circuit |04 in turn being held under control of the subscriber substation A over the line loop in a well known manner.

At this time the distributor |03 is completely released and the selector |04 rendered operative in response to impulses from the calling subscriber substation A to establish a connection to l a called subscriber substation or a toll position over a switch train represented by switch H9 in a well known manner, the connection being either an intra-oce or inter-oiilice connection.

Fig. 2 shows a stepping mechanism 200 comprising four cams 20| to 204 inclusive which may be xedly mounted on a common shaft driven by a mechanism controlled by the motor magnet 205. Each time the motor magnet operates and restores, the cam-s move one step, one step being illustrated by the distance between the vertical dotted lines. The cams 20| to 204 inclusive are arranged to operate their associated cam springs in spaced relationship. The stepping mechanism 200 has a normal position which the mechanism assumes when the nder switch is idle or no conversation timing is taking place, the mechanism being shown in its normal position in Fig. 2. Figs. 2A to 2F inclusive illustrate a plurality of common timer devices consisting of cam devices or relays or a combination of both. Cam 220 in Fig. 2A is a continuously rotating cam driven by a synchronous motor or the like (not shown) which rotates about once every ten seconds. It closes its cam springs 22| once every revolution for a short period of time. Cams 230, 240, 260 and of Figs. 2B, 2C, 2E and 2F, respectively, are also continuously rotating cams but they rotate once every twenty-four hours. The cams are driven by a Isingle synchronous motor (not ,fr

shown) or may be individually driven. They cause operation of their cam springs twice every twenty-four hours, the cams being replaceable so that any periods of the day may be chosen to close the cam springs. invention, these cams were designed to close their associated cam springs during the two busiest telephone traffic periods of the day. The relays 245, 250, 262 and 212 of Figs. 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F, respectively, are controlled by a distant operator over the control switch 226 or by a local operator over manual key 229 or are controlled automatically by relay 235 which responds to traffic conditions in the exchange. It should be noted that any of the above controlling means may be employed by the proper wiring of the relays 245, 250, 262 and 212 to the different control circuits.

Ihe finder switch |00 may be connected with any one of the timer devices of Figs. 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E or 2F in conjunction with the timer device of Fig. 2A. A similar finder in the same system may be connected with a different one of the timer devices than this finder |00.

Assuming the call was to a subscriber line, when the called party answers the call, battery potential is reversed on the line conductors |65 and |68 in a well known manner, thus reversing the magnetic polarity produced by the operating or upper winding of electropolar relay |30. The two magnetic polarities of relay |30 now aid each other and relay |30 will operate. On operating, relay |30 shorts its upper winding and resistance to clear the transmission path at contacts 3|, opens a point in the self-interrupting circuit to the motor magnet 205 at contacts |33, and closes a point in the operating eircuit to the motor magnet 205 at contacts |32. Relay will hold operated on its lower winding once it has been fully operated.

This system is arranged to provide periodic conversation timing to certain subscribers lines, other subscriber lines not having this feature. The method employed here is somewhat similar to that disclosed in the above mentioned co- For the purpose of this pending application in that discrimination between the two groups is made on the basis of switch bank levels, shaft springs |55 being arranged to close on those levels of the contact bank which terminate subscribers lines having the conversation timing and to remain open on levels of the contact bank which terminate subscribers lines which do not have the conversation timing feature. Assuming that substation A has conversation timing, the shaft springs |55 will be operated and when relay |30 operates on answer by the called party, a circuit is closed, at contacts |32, to the motor magnet 205 from cam springs 23|, 242, 26| or 21| or relay springs 25|, depending on which figure of Figs. 2B to 2F, inclusive, the nder |00 has been connected to, through contacts |6I, shaft springs |55, and cam springs 2 i 0 in their normally closed position.

Assume for the present that this nder |00 is connected with the timer device of Fig. 2B in conjunction with the timer device of Fig, 2A. Thus the circuitl of motor magnet 205 will be closed over the above traced circuit through cam springs 2|0 to cam springs 23| of cam 230. If the call through the nder |00 is being made during one of the normally heavy traflic periods of the day, even though the traffic may actually be light, the cam springs 23| will be closed. Within ten seconds after contacts |32 close the circuit to the motor magnet 205, cam 220 of Fig. 2A closes cam springs 22| to close ground to motor magnet 205 by way of cam springs 23|. Motor magnet 205 operates. The stepping mechanism 200 is so designed that the cams will take one step each time the motor magnet releases. Shortly after closing ground to operate motor magnet 205, cam 220 causes cam springs 22| to open to cause motor magnet 205 to restore, thus causing the stepping mechanism 200 to take one step. On taking this rst step from its normal position, cam springs 2|0 are opened and cam springs 2| and 2| 2 closed. The original impulsing circuit from cam springs 22| is transferred from cam springs 23| and cam springs 2m directly through cam springs 2| This feature provides for continued conversation timing once it has started even though the normally busy time period may end and cam springs 23| open during the progress of the call. Cam 220 continues to periodically close and open cam springs 22| to cause the motor magnet 205 to operate and release to thereby step the cams 20| to 204, inclusive. When using Fig. 2B, it is not necessary to provide cam 202 or relay |60 in the finder. The stepping mechanism 200 continues to step under control of cams 220, cam 203 closing cam springs 2|4 a xed period after the stepping of mechanism 200 commenced to cause a warning tone to be closed to the line conductor to warn the calling and called parties that they are about to be disconnected. A short period later cam 204 causes cam springs 2|5 to open thus opening the circuit to relay |40 and the lower Winding of relay |30 and to the B. C. O. relay in the line circuit |02 which restores, the line circuit returning to normal. Both relays |30 and |40 restore. ARelay |30, on restoring, opens the circuit from cam springs 22| of cam 220 to the motor magnet 205 at contacts |32 and closes the self-interrupting circuit to motor magnet 205 through contacts 206 and cam springs 2 I2 at contacts |33. Motor magnet 205 operates in an apparent self -interrupting manner until the mechanism 200 returns to its normal position and opens the self-interrupting circuit at cam springs 2I2. Relay |40 on restoring closes the circuit at contacts |44 to the release magnet |23 which operates to return the finder switch mechanism to normal. When the switch mechanism returns to normal, the V. O'. N. springs |58 restore, opening relay |50. Relay |50 restores, closes a point in the all trunks busy chain at contacts l5 I, opens the circuit to the release magnet |23 which restores, and removes ground from the guard conductor to mark the finder circuit as idle to the distributor |03. rIhe i'lrst selector |04 also retains ground on conductor |08 to hold the finder marked busy to the distributor until the rst selector is completely restored and prepared to receive subsequent calls. It will be noted that the iinder can be seized before the stepping mechanism of timer 200 has been restored to normal but this is not thought objectionable because the timer will continue to restore itself even though the trunk is seized. However, cam 20| could have been made to ground conductor so long as the timer is off-normal.

If the called and calling parties should release before the allowed conversation time has elapsed, the nder will release and the mechanism 200 will return to normal in a manner similar to that described above. On release by the parties, the subsequent switch train removes ground from control conductor |69 to release relays |30 and |40, release of relay |30 closing the self-interrupting circuit to the motor magnet 205. Subsequent operations follow as described above.

Assuming the call had been to a toll position rather than -to a subscribers line, the subsequent switch train would not reverse battery potential on the line conductors when the toll operator answered the call as is well known in the art. Under these circumstances, the electropolar relay |30 will never operate to start the conversation timing equipment in motion and the toll call will be allowed to continue uninterrupted at any time of the day.

Also, if the call had been established during a normally non-busy period of the day and continued into a normally busy period of the day, the conversation timing equipment would commence to operate at the beginning of the normally busy period and the conversation time period would be gured from that point of time.

If the iinder had been connected with Fig. 2C in conjunction with Fig. 2A rather than Fig. 2B in conjunction with 2A, the conversation timing feature would be diierent. Fig. 2C is designed so that the connection established through the linender will not be interrupted even during the normally busy periods unless an operator chooses to render the timing feature operative or unless actual trame conditions warrant disconnection. The major part of the time allowed by the timing device will be marked oi during the normally busy period but the timing device will cease operating, after the expiration of the marked time period, until an operator renders it operative or trahie becomes heavy at which time the timing device will operate to mark the short time remaining to thereby quickly time out and interrupt the connection. More specically, if the call is made during a normally busy period, cam springs 241i and 242 will be closed. When relay |30 operates on answer by the called party, the circuit is closed from ground through cam springs 22|, 242 and 2|0, shaft springs |55, and contacts |5| and 32 to the motor magnet 255. Motor magnet 205 operates and releases as previously explained to step the cams 20| to 204 inclusive, the first step causing the pulsing circuit from cam springs 22| to be transferred from the circuit through cam springs 242 and 2|0 to the circuit through cam springs 2| The cams continue to step until cam 202 closes the circuit to relay |60 from ground at contacts 245 to be closed at cam springs 2 I3, assuming relay 245 to be unoperated. Relay operates and opens a point at contacts |B| in the pulsing circuit to the motor magnet 205. The cams 20| to 204 inclusive cease stepping and the connection through the linender is left undisturbed until the parties voluntarily release the connection or until the operator closes ground to relay 245 by way of the manual key 220, if local, or the switch train 225, stepping switch 225 and operating relay 227, in case the operator is at a distant point, or until an actual heavy traiiic condition causes operation of relay 235. This control is given to the operator so that if light traic conditions do not warrant disconnection of the call during the normally busy hours, the operator has the means of controlling the disconnect feature. The operator, if she desires to interrupt the connection, operates the key 229 or dials over the switch train 225 to step the switch 220 to the sixth bank contact. Ground is closed over the wiper and sixth bank contact to the upper winding of differential relay 221. Relay 221 operates, closes a holding circuit to its upper winding, closes its lower winding to the seventh contact of switch 226, and closes ground to relay 245 at contacts 220. Relay 222 will hold operated on its upper winding and the distant operator may subsequently release the switch train 225 and return the stepping switch 225 to normal. If the conversation timing feature is under the control of actual traiiic conditions in the exchange, the automatic closing of ground at contacts 236 in a well known manner during heavy traffic periods will cause relay 235 to operate to close ground to relay 245 at contacts 231. In any case, relay 245 operates, locks up to ground through cam springs 24| by way of contacts 241 to insure that the timing feature will not be interrupted in case the operator or a light traiiic load subsequently opens the original operating circuit to relay 245, and opens the circuit to relay at contacts 246. Relay |60 restores and recloses the impulsing circuit to the motor magnet 205. The motor magnet 205 operates to take the few steps remaining to cause the warning tone to be placed on the line by cam 203 and the holding circuit including conductor |69 to be opened by cam 204 to cause the connection to be released as described above, the stepping mechanism or timer 200 returning to its normal position as described.

Relay 245, once operated, will remain operated as long as the normally busy period, designated by cam 240, continues, the locking ground being closed through cam springs 24| and all subsequent calls made during the normally busy period will be timed out in the normal manner without any ceasing of timing. It should be noted that complete control of the timing device of Fig. 2C could be given to the operator or the actual trafiic conditions by omitting the locking circuit through cam springs 24| so that relay 245 would be operated and released at will. To open the original operating circuit to relay 245 when control is by an operator in a distant ofce, the operator dials over the switch train 225 to step the switch 225 to the seventh contact. Ground is closed over the wiper of switch 226 and the seventh contact to the lower winding of relay 22?. The flux set up by the lower Winding of relay 221 opposes the fiux set up by the upper winding and relay 221 restores to open the circuit to relay 245 at contacts 228. The relay will remain released when the operator releases the switch train 225 and the switch 22E returns to normal.

If Fig. 2D is used, the timing feature in no way depends on any normally busy periods of the day. The conversation timing is placed under the control of the local operator by means of the manual key 229 or the distant operator by means of the switch train 225 or under the control of the actual traflic condition of the exchange by means of relay 235. In any case, relay 250 may be operated at any time to close the ground impulses at cam 220 through contacts 25| to start the timer 200. The impulsing circuit vvill transfer to cam springs 2 on the rst steps and the timer 200 will continue to operate, even if relay 250 subsequently restores, until the connection has been released.

If Fig. 2E is employed, the timer 200 will be rendered operative only during normally busy periods of the day when cam 260 has closed cam springs 26| and then only when contacts 263 have been closed by the operation of relay 262 due to the operation of key 220 or the operation of relays 221 or 235 as under conditions previously described. Thus, the connection will be interrupted only during certain normally busy periods of the day and then only when an operator desires to have the connection interrupted or when actual traiiic conditions warrant interruption. Once the timer 200 starts, it will continue operation independent of cam 260 and relay 262 as previously explained.

Fig. 2F discloses a means whereby the timer 200 would be rendered operative in all cases during the normally busy periods of the day by the closing of cam springs 21| by cam 210 and could also be rendered operative during any other period of the day by the closing of contacts 213 by operation of relay 212, operation of relay 212 being under control of the local or distant operator or the actual trailic conditions of the system as previously described.

It might be desirable to subject only interoflice calls from certain subscribers lines to conversation timing, leaving inter-office calls from other subscribers lines and intra-cnice calls from all subscribers lines free to remain for any length of time, in which ease the conversation timing equipment would have to be located in the repeater circuits and a means provided for signaling the repeater when the call is being made from said certain subscribers lines. Such a system is shown in Fig. 3 taken in conjunction with Fig. 2. Fig. 3 discloses a nder 300, selector 304, and distributor 303 for establishing intra-cnice and inter-oiiice connections, and a repeater 380 for establishing inter-cnice connections, Fig. 2 in this instance is a part of the repeater 380 and provides the means for timing the inter-oflice connections having conversation timing. The finder 300 of Fig. 3 operates in a manner very similar to the nder of Fig. 1, components in Fig. 3 which are similar to certain components in Fig. 1 having designation numbers with the tens and units digits the same.

The nder 300 is designed so that certain lines accessible to the finder will have the conversation timing while the others will have uninterrupted service. If all the lines accessible to the finder 300 are to have conversation timing, the S wiring is used and the shaft springs 355, Y

Wiring, extra bank contact 334, wiper 335, and X" wiring are omitted from the circuit. If the nder is to serve lines of which only certain lines have conversation timing and the discrimination is to be made on the basis of switch bank levels, shaft springs 355 and wiring Y is used while extra bank contact 334, wiper 335, X Wiring, and S wiring are omitted, or if the discrimination is to be made on a line basis, the extra bank contact 334 and wiper 335 and X Wiring are used while shaft springs 355, Y wiring, and S wiring are omitted. For a better understanding of the principle of these discrimination methods, reference may be had to the above mentioned co-pending application showing somewhat similar means for discriminating between the lines to have the conversation timing and those not having conversation timing. When using the shaft springs 355, they are arranged to close on the bank levels on which lines having conversation timing terminate and to remain open on levels on which lines not having conversation timing terminate. For instance, if line 30| is to have conversation timing and line 306 is not subject to conversation timing, the shaft springs will close on the bank level on which line 30| is terminated and Will remain open on the bank level on which line 306 is terminated.

When X wiring and associated apparatus is used, the fourth bank contact terminating each line in the banks, for example, contact 334, is connected directly to ground on lines having conversation timing and is left open on lines not having conversation timing. It can then be seen that if the finder is connected to a line subject to conversation timing, the lconductor 363 leading to the selector circuit 304 is grounded at some time in the operation of nder 300. This will cause relay 330 to operate to start the timer on an inter-cnice call through the repeater when the called subscriber answers and relay 384 operates. If the call is not an inter-cnice call over the repeater 380, the ground on conductor 363 will have no effect on the subsequent switch train and it can be easily seen that intra-office calls will not be effected.

Describing the operation of the system of Fig. 3 more particularly, when the calling subscriber at substation B initiates a call, ground on conductor 309 initiates operation of the distributor 303 in a manner similar to that described for the operation of distributor |03, start relay 3|0 operating. Relay 3|0 closes the line loop at contacts 3|| to seize the selector 304 and also closes the circuits of the vertical and rotary magnets 320 and 325, respectively, to the distributor 303, the vertical and rotary magnets subsequently operating to step the nder 300 to locate the calling line 30|. After the finder locates the calling line and the distributor is subsequently released to be used by other nder circuits in the same group, the selector 304 responds to dial pulses over the line loop from the calling line 30| in a Well known manner to locate a repeater accessible from the selector 304. Assuming that the selector 304 locates repeater 380 which at the time had been idle, the line loop is closed from the calling line 30|, through the selector 304, to relay 390 over line conductors 38| and 382 and through two windings of the repeater coil 301 in a well known manner. Relay 330 operates, closes the line conductor 398 at contacts 39| to seize the following switch in the switch train, represented by 3| 9, to the calling subscriber, the line loop being closed through the two left hand windings of the repeat coil in series with the upper winding of electro-polar relay 38d, and closes the circuit to relay 3% at contacts 392.

Relay 393 operates, grounds conductor through cam springs 2l5 at contacts 395 to hold the preceding switch train under control or" the repeater 380, and closes the circuit to the lower or polar winding of electro-polar relay 384 at lContacts 3%. At this time, the -uppei` or operating winding of electro-polar relay 38d opposes the lower winding and electro-polar relay 381i will not operate, relay 384 only operating when the called party answers and the subsequent switch train reverses battery potential back on the line conductors 398 and 399 in a well known manner. Relay 330 will follow the subsequent dial impulses from the calling subscriber line 3M, opening and closing the line loop to the subsequent switch train at contacts 3%! to set up a connection to a subs :riber line or toll position. Relay 333 is a slow-to-release relay and will not release during the pulsing of relay 35d. Assuming the call is to a subscriber line, and when the called party answers the call, battery potential is reversed on the line conductors 3&5 and 399 to the upper winding` of electro-polar relay 3813 in a well known manner. The upper winding oi electro-polar relay 335 now' aids the lower winding and electro-polar relay 38e operates to reverse the battery potential through relay 395) on line conductors 3B! and 353-2 for supervision in selector 3M, and Iconnects relay 33!! to selector Still at contacts Bild. If the call is from a calling line which is not to have ccnversation timing, there will be no ground on conductor 33 in selector 394 and relay 33@ will remain unoperated. Gn the other hand, if the call is from a line which is to have conversation timing, ground will be standing on conductor 3&3 and relay 330 will operate, closing a holding circuit to itself from ground at contacts 3% through contacts 33|. Relay 33E? on operating also closes the circuit to motor magnet 295 from the Various control devices Figs. 2B to 2F inclusive at contacts 332. It will be noted that relay 330 of Fig. 3 performs the saine functions as relay ISB in Fig. 1. Figs. 2 and 2A, in conjunction with any of the Figs. 2B to 2li' inclusive, operate in the exact saine manner to interrupt a connection established through the finder 3E@ and repeater 33? as described above for interrupting a connection through iinder ddii ci Fig. l. In this case when cam 2M opens cani springs 255 at the end of the allowed conversation time, the ground at contacts 395 is removed from conductor 383 to selector 3M. Selector 38.45, which was being held by the ground on conductor 333, releases, opening the line loop to relay 3Q@ which then restores to cause the repeater circuit 33,' to return to normal, and also removes ground from conductor 369 to release relay .'iliil which causes the nder 363@ to return to normal in the saine manner as nder ld of Fig. 1 returned to ncrmal on the restoration of relay idd.

On calls to a toll position, there will be no reversal of battery on the line conductors when the toll operator answers and relay 355i will not operate to start the timing equipment.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that various modications may be made therein, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

fici

What is claimed is:

1. For use in a telephone system having a plurality of groups of calling lines and a plurality of groups of called lines, a linefinder having access to said plurality of groups of calling lines, a repeater circuit accessible from said lineiinder circuit, means for establishing a connection between any one line of said groups of calling lines and any one line of said groups of called lines through said lineiinder and said. repeater, restricting means in said repeater operative to impose a time restriction on the use of said linender and repeater, circuit means in said linefinder operative to cause operation of said restricting means, means whereby said last means is operated only on connections established from lines in one of said groups of calling lines said restricting means being inoperative on connections established from lines in another of said groups of calling lines, and means in said repeater for rendering said restricting means inoperative, and means whereby said last means is operated on a connection established from a line in said one group of calling lines to a line in a certain one group of said groups of called lines.

2. In a telephone system comprising a plurality oi groups of calling lines and a plurality oi groups of called lines, a linender circuit having access to said plurality of groups of calling lines, a repeater circuit accessible from said linefinder circuit, means for establishing a talking connection between any one line of said groups of calling lines and any one line of said groups of called lines through said lineiinder and repeater circuits, interrupting means in said repeater circuit operative to interrupt the talking connection established therethrough, a timer device for measuring a length of time, means controlled by said timer device and operated thereby a certain period of time :after the establishment of a connection to cause operation of said interrupting means, discrimina-ting means operated only on connection of said linender to calling lines in a certain one of said groups of calling lines, circuit means controlling said interrupting means :and operated by operation of said discriminating means to cause operation of said interrupting means, said interrupting means remaining unoperated on talking connections established from lines in another of said groups of calling lines, and means in said repeater for rendering said interrupting means inoperative on a talking connection established from a line in said one group of calling lines to a line in a certain one of said groups of called lines.

3. In a telephone system having a plurality of groups of calling subscribers lines, a linefinder having access to said calling lines, a trunk circuit accessible from said lineiinder for establishing a connection between any one of said lines in said groups of calling lines and any one line in a plurality o groups of called lines, signalling means in said linefinder for transmitting a signal to said trunk circuit only in case the call is from a calling line in a certain one of said groups of calling lines, conversation timing equipment in said trunk circuit arranged to cause the established connection to be interrupted a certain time period after energization of said timing equipment, first circuit means in said trunk, means for operating said first circuit means in response to the answer ci a call by a called line only in case the called line is in a certain one of said groups of called lines, and a second circuit means in said trunk circuit operated by said signal and in response to the operation of said iirst circuit means for energizing said conversation timing equipment to thereby cause interruption of the connection only on calls from calling lines in said certain one of said groups of calling lines to called lines in said certain one of said groups of called lines.

4. For use in a telephone system having a calling line and a called line and means for establishing a talking circuit therebetween, means operative to automatically interrupt said talking circuit, a timer device operative in response to a plurality of signals to cause operation of said means to automatically disconnect said talking circuit, an impulsing means for transmitting a plurality of timed signals to said timer device a clock device for keeping the time of the day, a circuit operated by said clock device only during a certain time period of the day, a first signaling circuit including said operated circuit for transmitting a rst one of said signals to said timer device to cause initial operation thereof, and a second signaling circuit for transmitting the remaining signals to said timer device established in response to said initial operation of said timer device and independent of said circuit.

5. For use in a telephone system having a calling line and a called line and circuit means for establishing a talking connection therebetween, means operative to automatically disconnect said talking connection, a stepping switch having a normal position and an advanced position and operative in response to the receipt of a plurality of signals to step from said normal position to said advanced position, a timer device, means operated by said timer device to produce a plurality of time spaced signals, a clock device running in accordance with the time of the day, a pair oi contacts operated by said clock device only during a certain predetermined time period of the day, relay means operated on the establishment of a talking connection, a rst circuit comprising said operated pair of cont-acts and c'losed by the operation of said relay means for transmitting a rst one of said plurality of signals to said stepping switch to step said switch off said normal position, a second pair of contacts operated in response to the movement of said switch oil? said normal position, a second circuit comprising said operated second pair of contacts for transmitting the remainder of said signals to said stepping switch independent of said rst circuit to step said switch to said advanced position, and circuit means operated responsive to said switch in said advanced position to operate said means to automatically disconnect said talking connection.

6. For use in a telephone system having a calling line and a called line and circuit means for establishing a connection therebetween, means operative to automatically disconnect said connection, a timer device operative in response to the receipt of a plurality of signals to cause operation of said means toautomatically disconnect said connection, an impulsing means for transmitting a plurality of time spaced signals to said timer device, a rst signaling circuit, means controlled by said circuit means and operated on completion of said connection for operating said rst signaling circuit to cause transmission of a rst one of said signals to said timer device to cause initial operation thereof, and a second signaling circuit operated in response to the initial operation of said timer device to cause transmission of the remaining signals to said timer device independent of said first signaling circuit.

7. For use in a telephone system having a calling line and a called line and circuit means for establishing a talking connection therebetween. means operative to automatically disconnect said talking connection, a stepping switch having a. normal position and an advanced position and operative in response to the receipt of a plurality of signals to step from said normal position to said advanced position, a timer device, means operated by said timer device to produce a plurality of time spaced signals, relay means operated on the establishment of a talking connection, a first circuit operated in response to the operation of said relay means for transmitting a first one of said plurality of signals to said stepping switch to step said switch o said normal position, a pair of contacts operated in response to the movement of said switch off said normal position, a second circuit comprising said operated pair of contacts for transmitting the remainder of said signals to said stepping switch independent of said rst circuit to step said switch to said advanced position, and circuit means operated responsive to said switch in said advanced position to operate said means to automatically disconnect said talking connection.

8. For use in a telephone system having a calling line and a called line and means for establishing a connection therebetween, means operative to automatically interrupt said connection, a. clock device running in accordance with the timeof-the-day, a rst circuit closed by said clock device only during a certain predetermined time of the day, a timer device operated responsive to the closure of said rst circuit and having a certain time period of operation, circuit means energized by said timer device before the expiration of said certain time period of operation for opening said first circuit, means for deenergizing said circuit means to cause reclosing of said first circuit, a second circuit for operating said deenergizing means, a third circuit controlled by said operated deenergizing means and by said clock device for holding said deenergizing means operated until the end of said certain predetermined time of the day, and a second circuit means operated by said timer device at the expiration of said certain time period of operation for operating said means to automatically interrupt said connection.

9. For use in a telephone system having a calling line and a called line and means for establishing a connection therebetween, means operative to automatically disconnect said connection, a stepping switch having a normal position, a first advanced position and a second advanced position and operative in response to the receipt of a rst plurality of signals to step from said normal position to said rst advanced position and to the receipt of a second plurality of signals to step from said rst advanced position to said second advanced position, a timer device, means operated by said timer device to produce a plurality of time spaced signals, relay means operated on the establishment of said connection, a circuit completed in response to the operation of said relay means for transmitting said iirst plurality of signals to said stepping switch to step said switch from said normal position to said rst advanced position, circuit means operated responsive to the stepping of said switch to said first advanced position to open said signal transmitting circuit to cause said switch to cease stepping, second circuit means controlling said first circuit means, means for operating said second circuit means to disable said rst circuit means to thereby close said signal transmitting circuit to cause said switch to receive said second plurality of signals and step from said iirst advanced position to said second advanced position, and third circuit means operated responsive to said switch in said second advanced position to operate said means to automatically disconnect said connection.

10. For use in a telephone system having a calling line and a called line and means for establishing a talking circuit therebetween, means operative to automatically disconnect said talking circuit, a stepping switch having a normal position, a first advanced position and a second advanced position and operative in response to the receipt of a rst plurality of signals to step from said normal position to said first advanced position and to the receipt of a second plurality of signals to step from said first advanced position to said second advanced position, a timer device, means operated by said clock device to produce a plurality of time spaced signals, a pair of contacts, means for closing said pair of contacts only during a certain predetermined time period of the day, relay means operated on the establishment of said talking circuit, Va iirst circuit comprising said operated pair of contacts and closed by the operation of said relay means for transmitting a first one of said iirst plurality of timed signals to said stepping switch to cause said switch to step orf said normal position, a second pair of contacts operated in response to the movement of said switch off said normal position, a second circuit comprising said operated second pair of contacts for transmitting the remainder of said first plurality of signals to said stepping switch independent of said rst circuit to step said switch to said first advanced position, circuit means responsive to the stepping of said switch to said first advanced position to open the signal transmitting circuits to said switch to cause it to cease stepping, second circuit means for disabling said iirst circuit means, means for operating said second circuit means only under certain conditions to disable said iirst circuit means to thereby close the signal transmitting circuits to said switch to cause said switch to receive said second plurality of signals and step from said rst advanced position to said second advanced position, and third circuit means operated responsive to saidswitch in said second advanced position to operate said means to automatically disconnect said talking circuit.

11. In a telephone system as claimed in claim 10, a third pair of contacts, means for operating said third pair of contacts only during said certain predetermined time period of the day, and a holding circuit comprising said third pair of contacts completed on operation of said second circuit means to thereby hold said rst circuit means disabled until the end of said predetermined time period.

12. For use in a telephone system having a calling line and means for establishing a called line and a connection therebetween, means operative to automatically interrupt said connection, a relay, means for operating said relay in one instance under control of an operator and in another instance in response to traiiic conditions in said system, a timer device for producing time spaced signals, circuit means, a first signal transmitting circuit closed by the operation of said relay to transmit one of said timed signals to said circuit means, a second signal transmitting circuit for transmitting a plurality of said timed signals to said circuit means independent of said first signal transmitting circuit, means operated by said circuit means after the receipt of a iirst one of said plurality of signals for closing said second signal transmitting circuit, and means operated by said circuit means responsive to said plurality of signals to operate said interrupting means.

13. For use in a telephone system having a calling and called line and means for establishing a connection therebetween, means for interrupting said connection, a clock device running in accordance with the time-of-day, first circuit means operated by said clock device only during a certain predetermined time of the day, second circuit means, means for operating said second circuit means in one instance under control of an operator and in another instance in response to traic conditions in said system, a timer device operative a certain period of time after initial operation thereof to cause operation of said interrupting means, and a circuit completed only on the operation of said first and said second circuit means to cause operation of said timer device.

14. For use in a telephone system having a: calling line and a called line and means for estab` lishing a connection therebetween, means for interrupting said connection, a clock device runningi in accordance with the time-of-day, lrst circuit. means operated by said clock device only during av certain predetermined time of the day, secondv circuit means, means for operating said secondl circuit means in one instance under control ofl an operator and in another instance responsive:

to traflic conditions in the system, a timer device operative a certain period of time after initial operation thereof to cause operation of said in terrupting means, a iirst circuit completed only on the operation of said iirst and said second circuit means to cause operation of said timer device, and a second circuit completed on the initial operation of said timer device and independent of said first circuit to cause subsequent operation of said timer device.

15. For use in a telephone system having a calling line and a called line and means for establishing a connection therebetween, means for interrupting said connection, a clock device running in accordance with the time-of-day, rst circuit means operated by said clock device only during ya certain predetermined time of the day, second circuit means, means for operating said second circuit means in one instance under control of an operator and in another instance responsive to traic conditions in said system, a timer device operative a certain period of time after initial operation thereof to cause operation of said interrupting means, a first circuit completed only on the operation of said first circuit means to cause initial operation of said timer device in one instance, a second circuit completed only on the operation of said second circuit means to cause initial operation of said timer device in another instance, and a third circuit completed on the initial operation of said timer device and independent of said rst and second circuits to cause subsequent operation of said timer device.

16. In a telephone system having means for establishing a talking connection, a control device assocated with said connection for discon- 19 necting the same, a timing iint 'operative for a certain time period 'after its initial operation, said unit being effective to actuate said device after the lapse 4of said period, 'a clock 'device running in accordance with the timeof'-the`d'ay, means lcontrolled 'by said clock "device `for initially operating said timing unit lonly during ya certain period of the day, means effective under vcertain trahie 4conditions in the system for 'disabling said timing unit after it has Ioperated for 'a certain portion of said time` period, other means for causing said timing unit to operate for the remaining portion 'of said certain time period, means for roperating said 'other means, and means whereby said last means is operated in response to a change in traic conditions. n

17.*In a telephone system having means for establishing a 'talking connection, ya 'timing unit, a device associated with 'said connection for dis- CII 20 connecting the same, a clock means running in accordance with vth'et'nie-of`the-day, means cont'rolle'd by said clock means for rendering said timing unit effective to control said device only during a 'certain period of time, means effective undercertain traine conditions in the vsystem for preventing 'said timing 'unit from controlling said device -during a portion of said period, other means for preventing said last means from affecting the Jcontrol of the unit over said device, means for operating said other means, and means whereby 'said last lmeans 'is operated responsive to a change in traffic conditions during said period. CLARENCE E. LOMAX.

References Cited in the Vf--le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 

